However, it should not be confused with its culinary cousin. In fact Holy basil (of which there are three varieties) is a medicinal herb from the ancient Ayurvedic medical tradition of the Indian sub-continent, where it has traditionally been thought to have rejuvenating properties and where it has been used and revered as a sacred plant for centuries. It is a herb which is said to help with meditation and when I have used it for myself, it does seem to be calming, so I could imagine that it may be helpful in quietening the activity of the mind, an essential for successful meditation.
It is an adaptogenic herb (see my previous blog on the actions of adaptogenic herbs) and it was used as a tonic herb within the Ayurvedic tradition, to increase the vital energy of the body and enhance its ability to withstand stress. However it appears to also possess a surprising wide range of applications outside of this classification.
Some recent research has suggested that it is useful for down-regulating the immune response, which may make it helpful for managing some allergies including asthma and rhinitis. It also may have an application in bronchitis. It traditional use for lowering blood sugar seems also to have been confirmed in a trial and it is thought that this would be enhanced if used in combination with other hypoglycaemic herbs, such as Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). Its reputation for enhancing cerebral circulation have lead to it being used to help with memory and concentration and could be helpful for menopausal brain fog, again in combination with other herbs such as Ginkgo biloba and Rosemary. (Kuhn and Winston, 2008).
This information is meant for educational purposes only and not intended as a guide to self-treatment. You should always seek professional advice. Remember that herbs can interact with other drugs and may be contra-indicated if you have certain medical conditions, are pregnant or lactating. Take care when using wild plants or any herbs, that you have the correct species from a reliable source. Catherine Schofield BSc MNIMH Herbalist Cheshire Herbs and Herbal Medicine
Sources
Kuhn, M. A. and Winston, D. (2008) Herbal therapy and supplements, Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincot, Williams and Wilkins, Philedelphia.